Title Information Faculty TitleAssistant Professor Job Class Code10031 FLSAExempt Position Information Posting NumberFRGV1704 Working TitleAssistant Professor in Physics and Astronomy (Atomic, Molecular, and Optical-AMO) Number of Vacancies1 LocationRio Grande Valley Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position Tenure StatusTenure Track FTE1.0 Scope of Job We are looking for candidates who are committed to serving the student body of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as tenure-track Assistant Professor in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical ( AMO ) Physics at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Responsibilities of the position include delivering instruction in physics at the undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D. levels, conducting research, attracting extramural funding, and participating in service activities within the department, university, and community. About UTRGV : UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. We support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being by championing leading research, healthcare, and application of University discoveries. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything we do, including teaching, research, and service. Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-serving institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit ourwebsite (https://www.utrgv.edu/about/index.htm) . Department/College Background The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) invites applications for a Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in experimental, theoretical, or computational Atomic, Molecular, and Optical ( AMO ) Physics beginning September 1, 2025. This hiring initiative focuses on the areas of quantum optics, single-photon optics, and quantum information science (e.g., qubits). Candidates for this position are expected to strengthen and complement our current experimental, theoretical, and computational AMO Physics research program. They will establish independent research programs that successfully attract extramural funding, actively contribute to departmental development, and engage in innovative teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The position offers excellent start-up funds, salary, and laboratory space in a dynamic and highly interactive research environment. Researchers in the Department of Physics and Astronomy maintain state-of-the-art facilities in AMO Physics. A Pioneer-Two electron beam lithography and scanning electron microscope, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy system, physical property measurement system, cryogenic testing, RF measurement and design facilities, laser and optics laboratories, and metal, ABS and resin 3D printers are among the facilities open for collaboration. UTRGV is the newest member of the University of Texas System with major campuses in Brownsville, Edinburg, and Harlingen. The Department of Physics and Astronomy currently has 30 tenured/tenure-track faculty members and several lecturers, graduate students, and post-doctoral scholars. The department has strong research programs in gravitational wave, radio and optical astronomy, applied optics and lasers, nanoscience, nanotechnology and nanophotonics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, computational physics, nuclear/high energy theory, and physics education. Six state-of-the-art laboratories are funded by the NSF , NASA , DoD, US Air Force, and NIH . The department offers B.S. and M.S. degrees, as well as Ph.D. degrees. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, UTRGV is committed to preparing its students to succeed, contribute, and excel in an increasingly diverse, global, and interconnected world, and seeks faculty who are prepared to help in this goal. Minimum Qualifications A Ph.D. in Physics or a related field and postdoctoral experience are required. Successful candidates will demonstrate potential for forming interdisciplinary collaborations and the ability to involve both undergraduate and graduate students in research activities. Discipline Specific Required Qualifications Applicants should provide evidence of strong productivity and leadership in research. Externally funded research and teaching experience are considered a plus. Preferred Qualifications This hiring initiative focuses on the areas of quantum optics, single-photon optics, and quantum information science (e.g., qubits). Candidates for this position are expected to strengthen and complement our current research program in experimental and theoretical AMO Physics. License or Certification Required?Yes SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience Desired Start Date09/01/2025 Posting Detail Information EEO Statement EEO Statement It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest. Open Date10/01/2024 Close Date01/19/2025 Additional Information UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Department of Physics and Astronomy website: www.utrgv.edu/physics/ Special Instructions to Applicants Dear Applicant, Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following: *Date of Birth *Social Security Number *Gender *Ethnicity/Race Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission. Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview. Please Note Please Note Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ). Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval. Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/44419 Posting Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). Applicant Documents Required Documents + Curriculum Vitae + List of 3 References + Letter of Interest + Unofficial Graduate Transcripts + Research Statement + Teaching Philosophy Optional Documents